Compare 6 Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management. programs in the West. Average earnings: $39,341.
The highest-earning Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $19K earnings gap across 6 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University Of Northern Colorado's Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management program leads with graduates earning $48,757, well above the $39,341 average. Central Washington University follows at $46,499, while Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn $39,516—proving that program focus matters more than overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University Of Northern Colorado graduates borrow $20,470 and face just a 10.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42.
Highest program earnings: $48,757
Strong outcomes with 86% acceptance
10.7% payment burden | Good
24.3% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $48,757 | 45 | $20,470 | Good | $22,566 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $46,499 | 20 | $19,500 | Good | $22,000 | High | |
| #3 | $39,516 | 109 | $20,000 | Manageable | $36,000 | High | |
| #4 | University Of IdahoPublic | $37,493 | 8 | $21,982 | Challenging | $21,162 | High |
| #5 | $34,095 | 91 | $13,969 | Manageable | $7,556 | High | |
| #6 | $29,685 | 12 | $19,500 | High | $17,148 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
